Uh-oh, Farmers want local taxpayer money also

A late freeze in early 2007, coupled with a drought throughout the summer and fall, meant local hay crops were off by as much as half their normal levels, according to a resolution presented to the Sullivan County Commission at its January meeting.

That combination of events wasn’t good news for Sullivan County’s cattle producers — or for the 33,000 head of cattle and calves they’re currently trying to feed, according to the resolution.

Three county commissioners have proposed spending $50,000 of Sullivan County’s multimillion-dollar surplus to help cattle producers offset the cost of hauling hay into the county.